Four takeaways from Wake Forest’s comeback from a 10-point deficit to top NC State, 34-30

Quarterback Grayson McCall laid on a red spine stabilizer board, a green cart taking him off the field one drive into N.C. State’s game. He lifted his hand to the crowd, acknowledging the fans, teammates and coaches after they watched him take a hit to the head that appeared to leave him briefly unconscious.

One drive later, led by freshman backup CJ Bailey, the Wolfpack scored a 35-yard field goal and picked up four first downs. The Pack has struggled on offense all year, but it took the field after McCall’s injury with a seemingly new motivation: Playing for one of its leaders.

When the Pack took a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, it looked like it would do that. Then things unraveled.

N.C. State fell to Wake Forest, 34-30, after the Demon Deacons (2-3, 1-1 ACC) scored on a late-game touchdown for its second league loss. It was the team’s best offensive performance of the fall, but even that wasn’t good enough.

The Wolfpack (3-3, 0-2 ACC) recorded 419 yards of total offense and tied its season high with 28 first downs. Bailey finished 28 of 42 with 272 yards, two touchdowns. But, an interception on the team’s final play of the game sealed the fate and ended a chaotic afternoon.

Here are four takeaways from the rivalry loss.

More balanced passing attack

Offensive coordinator Robert Anae told reporters during fall camp that the goal this season was to spread the ball. It hadn’t truly done that this season, but things seemed to click against the Deacs.

At halftime, N.C. State had 216 passing yards, with eight different receivers making two catches. True freshman Keenan Jackson recorded his first career touchdown with 11:30 remaining in the second quarter. He had two stretches of at least six straight completions. The Wolfpack finished with 271 total yards in the half.

Entering the game, Doeren said the pass game hadn’t been what the team was hoping for.

“I think part of that is what’s transpired at quarterback; not blaming CJ at all,” head coach Dave Doeren said on Thursday. “I think CJ is getting better, but you can’t put the entire system on a freshman, either. … It’ll be CJ’s third game. He’ll be more experienced than he was in his first and his second, so you can grow on the things that he’s experienced in those games.”

There’s still more work to be done — a handful of deep passes were incomplete — but it was good to see positive progress.

Early defensive effort helped keep team in it

N.C. State’s early second-half effort on defense deserves praise for flipping the field and helping the offense get back on the field.

The Pack forced turnovers on two straight second-half drives. Linebacker Sean Brown contributed a strip sack, before safety Bishop Fitzgerald intercepted a pass from Deacs QB Hank Brachmeier.

Then, N.C. State added a pair of force fumbles, three pass breakups, an interception, three sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries — including a third-down tackle by Caden Fordham.

Unfortunately, the offense did not score on the takeaways and its efforts weren’t enough down the stretch as the Demon Deacons retook the lead with 1:01 left to play.

Limiting penalties equaled third-down conversions

N.C. State had little success on third-down conversions entering the game. It ranked 104th in FBS on third-down conversions (20 of 59) after finishing 1 of 11 against Northern Illinois last Saturday. Those numbers were much improved on Saturday against Wake, with the Pack finishing 8 of 15 on third down.

Doeren said part of the struggles come from the first- and second-down offense. When it’s not moving the ball efficiently — which it isn’t consistently — it’s statistically much harder to get a first down on third-and-8 or third-and-9.

Penalties were an issue, as well. The Pack averaged 46.8 yards of penalties per game. It’s one of the more disciplined teams in the nation but N.C. State had five penalties against Wake.

“They’re calling more holding now than I’ve ever seen, and we’ve got to be able to play well within that and know how they’re calling it. … You have a 15 or a 20 yard gain, and now instead of 1st and 10, it’s 1st and 25; 2nd and 15. Whatever it ends up being, it’s a drive killer. We’ve got to be better fundamentally, not having our hands in positions where we’re getting called for those.”

N.C. State finished with 52 yards in penalties, but only one impacted the down and distance.

With the team making better progress on early downs and fewer penalties, the Pack was in better positions to convert on the third down attempts.

Consistency in this area will make a big difference going forward.

Injuries are worth watching

Injuries are starting to pile up for the Wolfpack, and it doesn’t look great. The program boasts competitive depth — it’s why Doeren had no problem switching up the depth chart — but it’s fair to have concerns about the team’s long-term health.

Excluding McCall, the Wolfpack had four regular contributors unavailable due to injury. Running back Hollywood Smothers missed a second straight game.

Offensive lineman Val Erickson and wide receiver Dacari Collins missed the game. Cornerback Brandon Cisse had a minor injury earlier in the season and returned, but he did not participate in warmups and was seen with a cast on his left forearm.

Safety Devan Boykin has yet to return — Doeren hoped to have him back this month — after sustaining an ACL injury in bowl game preparation last December.

N.C. State’s depth is OK for now, but it could be a cause for concern.